School district presents employee of the year

Donna Thomas has been named as the 2010-11 support staff employee of the year. She has worked for the school district for 21 years. She has worked at Emery High School and Castle Dale and Cottonwood Elementaries. Thomas is currently the lunch manager for Castle Dale and Cottonwood elementaries.

Thomas recognizes the value of a good education for each child and the part that good nutrition plays in helping kids gain knowledge in order to be successful in life. She is an employee who through her efforts with school lunch has contributed in many positive ways to make school a great place for students to be. Research shows that most kids list school lunch as their favorite subject in school. It's right up there with recess.

Thomas is always going out of her way to do extra special things for students. She works hard to make lunch a special time. During Red Ribbon Week there were special activities and Alien day was a big hit. The lunch ladies decorated the lunch room and a special space ship was on hand. For the annual Etiquette Day, students dress up in nice clothes and they are served their lunch by the PTA ladies. This lunch teaches about manners. Another activity she likes is a tail gate party around homecoming time in the fall and a special day in January called Beach Day when the winter gets long and dreary.

Thomas appreciates working with Ralph Worthen and the other staff members as they are supportive of the many activities she plans as she works to make the lunch experience special for each child. She also loves grandparents day where the grandparents visit the school and have lunch with their grandchildren.

The school district wishes to congratulate Thomas for a job well done in being the support staff employee of the year.